PEOPLE must know the truth about the Annan Plan and must not just be influenced by the opinions of certain political leaders, according to Nicos Mesaritis, organiser of a conference that will be held today to explain the plan.
‘The Power of a United Cyprus’ will bring together deputies from AKEL, DISY, smaller parties, movements and NGOs.
“Through this conference, we want to send a positive message to the people that has not yet been sent. Party leaders have given an overall negative message regarding a settlement to the Cyprus problem,” said Mesaritis.
He added they would like to explain how the plan could be seen as a positive alternative to permanent partition and ask the people not to judge it too quickly.
“The speakers are interested in a solution and we will express our concern that there hasn’t been enough explained about the plan,” said Mesaritis.
He added this was an important time for the people of Cyprus and that they had not been duly educated about the plan. Some people could be voting based on what their political parties have said,” said Mesaritis.
“For example, some party leaders have taken one article from the plan that says if we vote yes Turkey will have the right of intervention. This will obviously make people dubious about voting yes as this gives a negative picture of the plan,” said Mesaritis, adding people had to read the plan for themselves.
Yiouli Taki, one speaker who will take part in the conference, said she was involved in an information campaign and that her objective today would not be to influence the public to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’, but simply to inform the people on what they will be voting for in the referenda on April 24.
There will be 12 speakers present at the conference, including Themos Demetriou, George Kaskanis, Yiannakis Cassoulides, Alecos Markides, Eleni Mavrou, Averoff Neophytou, Vassilis Protopapas, Yiouli Taki, Takis Hadjigeorgiou, Takis Hadjidemetriou and George Christofides.
Each speaker will be given two or three minutes to give their views and discuss whether the plan is truly viable and why.
Taki said the speakers were leaning towards voting ‘yes’, but that their intention was not to push people into one direction.
Markides, one of the most vocal advocates of the Annan plan, yesterday told the Cyprus Mail he was unsure what exactly he would say at the conference.
“I would first like to hear out the other speakers and then I will be able to voice my opinion. I cannot know now what direction the talks will take and therefore I will abstain from deciding what I will say at this stage,” said Markides.
The Conference will be held at the Nicosia International Conference Centre today at 7pm.
